Monday, November 30, 2015

November 11 is the modern Polish Republic's Independence Day, and this year I went to a little celebration of this important day at the Szczecin Ducal Castle where inside the smaller courtyard, next to the entrance to the Castle Information, there is a cast plaque commemorating the 12th Podolian Uhlan Regiment.

Ps
Photos were taken by my wife :) - thank you J. A. .
ps'
many thanks to pan Krzysztof Komaniecki, himself a talented painter and sculptor, reenactor, and military historian, for pointing me to this event - you can see, comment and buy some of Krzysztof's art and research via Facebook .

Tuesday, November 17, 2015

Salve,
world is smouldering - and no caballero can stand by it, so let us remember the victims of the latest terrorists' attacks over Sinai, in Lebanon, Kenya, France et so on, the list goes on. Pacem aeternam to all victims and condolences to their families.
Just one side comment - in wake of these attacks usually respective governments take away ... the freedoms and liberties of their own citizens. Beware, for one of the American Founding Fathers and US President and said ''Those who surrender freedom for security will not have, nor do they deserve, either one.'' - more quotes on Liberty.

I would like to link to this article written by prof. Marek Jan Olbrycht titled "Parthian Cities and Strongholds in Turkmenistan' - great article it is and a must to all interested in the Parthian and Central Asia civilization.
The article includes information about the ancient city of Nisa, and the Old Nisa Italian missions are described on this site.

I am reading a book by Kuba Pokojski on the battle of Tczew/Dirschau Ad 1627.
This is the first scholarly work to approach this important battle exclusively. The book arose from studies and then a Master thesis presented by the author as a part of the fulfillment of the Master Degree in History requirements.
Thus far I read the chapter one - critical study of the period sources and historical research already published, and the chapter devoted to the battle itself - 115 pages or so on the battle alone.

The book also has an article-introduction by Radek Sikora, Ph.D., including a synopsis of the martial 'rivalry' between king Gustavus Adolphus and hetman Statnislaw Koniecpolski during this war, including the importance of hussaria in this struggle.

Once I will have finished the whole book I will write a review - :)
***
Nota bene, 'Journael van der Legatie.. et al' with the engraved drawings by Abraham van Booth via archive library. Images enclosed above come from that book

Sunday, November 1, 2015

Bruno Mugnai, Florentine historical artists, became the editor of the new military history magazine - History & Uniforms.
You can read the first issue, in English or Italian, and download the .pdf or .epub format.
I did enjoy the neolithic Chinese warriors and weaponry article by Chun L. Wang, where Bruno's illustrations are quite striking and artistically very pleasing.
The article on the army of Venice during the period of our Lion of Lechistan (Jan III Sobieski) is a must for all interested in the Italian forces of the anti-Turkish Holy League (1684-99).

Salve,tempus fugit and so, you and I are in the month of November - the Fall in full swing, so to speak.
In Poland the first day of November is all about the family, ancestors and cemeteries - decorating with memorial wreaths, fresh and artificial flowers and ''znicze'' (grave candles) & candles...

In the Slavic traditions this was the time of Dziady and karaboszki, I wrote about this Slavic Halloween 3 years ago.

Two cemeteries are very important in our Polish myth and tradition, presently outside of Poland. One is the famous Cemetery of Eaglets in Lwow [Lviv] aka Leopolis, Ukraine - in spite of the symbolism this cemetery has been restored by the Polish workers, starting with the workers from Energopol under Jozef Bobrowski in 1989, and Polish money, and currently should be protected by the Ukrainian government. The cemetery is a huge tourist attraction in Lviv.

Nota bene, a little gem for reenactors - a documentary about the annual XVII reenactment event, Polish-Swedish war, at the Ostromecko Estate, on the Vistula, near Bydgoszcz, in Kujawy Poland. (film is in Polish).

Perhaps you could be a little Polish today and thus light your candle and spend some time thinking about your ancestors and people who in wars and daily struggles gave their lives for your family, country and homeland ... after all today is ancestors' day.

About Me

Czołem/Salve, fellow net traveler... I am Dariusz aka Dario and this is my meydân. Born in the year of the Fire Horse hence I never tire of admiring, drawing & painting or sculpting horses, or just researching the history of equus cabalus, especially in the mounted warrior context. My drawings and paintings - prints - are available for sale (I use MyPaint, Krita & GIMP), I also do commissioned illustration etc, so if you need to contact me regarding a purchase, commission, or any other matter, do email me: darajawausz[at]gmail [dot] com
Ciao - Amicus Plato, sed magis amica veritas